And some people wonder why over there the BlackRadioIsBack.com and FuseBox Radio Broadcast Family is so for independent media & not for big media groups trying to be all up in everything (especially saying their stations are the only one's who serve a certain community or viewpoint).

Props to Josh Stearns for letting us know this info via our Twitter account...SMH at this entire mess:

Clear Channel Suing a Community It Serves By Jerry Del Colliano

Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey called me yesterday to say why don't you write about Clear Channel once in a while -- after all, they are more evil than we are.

Alright, I'm lying.

Dickey didn't call but I'll bet you he's praying we write about some other consolidator's evil actions today after all the apparent misery Cumulus is causing its loyal employees.

In fact, things have been so intense at Cumulus lately that in our ongoing Inside Music Media poll of Radio's Best and Worst Groups, Cumulus has pulled ahead of Clear Channel (see for yourself by clicking here and scrolling down the right hand side -- you can even cast a vote).

It seems there is no shortage of missteps conducted by consolidators these days, but we have a whopper for you this morning.

Believe it or not, the geniuses at Clear Channel are suing a local community group in Philadelphia to halt their annual Unity Day festivities.

Why?

Because Clear Channel has pulled out of the event this year -- probably due to money -- and (please sit down and don't hurt yourself) Clear Channel says it owns the term "Unity Day".

I wonder if they trademarked the term "Evil Empire" because now they sure own it in Philly.

So Philadelphia, the community they are licensed to serve, can't use "Unity Day".

Perhaps nobody told Clear Channel's brain trust in San Antonio that it is not nice -- nor is it good business -- to sue a community group in a public trademark fight.

Unity Day on the Parkway, Inc. is getting its butt sued by Clear Channel which goes to show it's not easy being a black station in a black market when your owners are seeing green in San Antonio.

This group wants to put on a Unity Day event.

The city and the community want this event.

Clear Channel actually loved this event when they could afford to be part of it. If you're not already sick to your stomach, here is how Clear Channel spun their public service spirit in the past, read this.

Of course, that was then and this is -- well, now.

Today, Clear Channel wants this community group to cease and desist.

There I've said it!

Clear Channel's three favorite words: cease and desist.

Instead of creating goodwill for its local Black-oriented stations, Clear Channel is forcing the community to rise up with Save Unity Day in Philly. See their war literature here.

Hogan is in trouble.

So much for localism.

But then again localism to Clear Channel is running a local public service spot in nationally syndicated, networked or voice tracked Repeater Radio. At least, if Clear Channel Community Service Director John Slogan Hogan has his way.

And speaking of Hogan's ineptitude at community service, betcha if his local management caused this PR stink, their sorry asses would have been fired already.

So now Clear Channel is playing hardball with a group that actually wants to do good in the community and has widespread support. A former partner. Hey, radio is not that beloved that it can win an unpopular war with their own listeners and community.

"It is Clear Channel’s policy to enforce its intellectual property rights vigorously. In that regard, this letter serves as formal notice that your use of the UNITY DAY Mark, in any manner, is wholly unauthorized, is likely to cause confusion, and constitutes trademark infringement, cybersquatting, and unfair competition in violation of federal and state law. While Clear Channel does not wish to engage in a protracted legal dispute, we simply cannot allow continued infringement of the UNITY DAY Mark or statements implying an affiliation with Clear Channel’s past festivals..."

Say what?

These are your listeners for God sakes -- the community you are licensed to serve here -- is this gobbledygook any way to talk to them?

A representative from Unity Day on the Parkway, Kyle Davis argues:

"...that once Clear Channel cancelled the event for 2009, it was our responsibility to protect a (30) year heritage that been adopted by the Communities of Philadelphia as their own. A lawsuit is forthcoming against Clear Channel, and it is unacceptable for Big Business to bully the Little People, when clearly, the law is on our side".

I'm on their side -- The Little Engine That Could vs. The Big Stuffy, Puffy Steam Engine from San Antonio.

So let's get this right.

Clear Channel cancels the event and screws the Black community.

Doesn't want the group with the same name to continue the popular event because its lawyers in Texas just have to defend their trademarks. You understand.

Can't we invite everyone to Scottsdale to have a beer with me on my patio overlooking the 8th of the Lakes Course? Can't we all get along when Clear Channel decides to impose budget cuts?

Talk about taking your eye off the ball.

Radio used to serve the community -- some stations still do. Their employees are only too happy to get involved -- on their own time. It's what we do -- and we do it well. I lived in the Philadelphia area most of my life and I can tell you WDAS-FM is a big part of the African-American Community. Why not help them succeed with an event that they obviously think is worth fighting for?

Lend them the name, alright? Be a good neighbor.

I can't speak for WDAS but I suspect WDAS-FM employees are ready to jump to it and be a part of this thing.

Betcha it's John Slogan Hogan who is the problem -- again.

Who appointed him boss anyway?

If Unity Day was such a great idea---and it appeared to be judging by the crowds it drew to the Parkway in previous years -- shouldn't Clear Channel use the money it will spend on a cadre of lawyers for a donation so Unity Day can go on?

If I were running a competing station, I'd go pay the group's legal fees against Clear Channel and let them hang themselves on this stupid move.

Where are the competing stations? Afraid of Clear Channel or too cheap to step up?

I know money is hard to come by but it also takes money to sue your local community groups. It's a matter of priorities.

And, Clear Channel's return on its "legal fee investment" is going to be some unfavorable footage on "Action News" at 5, 6 and 11.

Is it me or is this another example of how consolidation enabled large owners to take their eyes off the reason they exist -- to serve their cities of license?

And will you agree that if Clear Channel had to ascertain community needs to petition for its next license renewal instead of get automatic renewals, they wouldn't bully community leaders and rain on their Unity Day parade.

Imagine who might file for the WDAS-FM license if Clear Channel can't operate in the public interest?

A lot of radio folks don't want to wake up the federal bureaucracy and invite more regulation back into the industry.

Isn't that what Clear Channel just did when it sued the community it serves?

Hello Commissioner Copps!

And you wonder why radio is in trouble.

How it has lost its mojo.

It's not the people who work at the stations. They know what is the right thing to do.

I've fought the Evil Empire in a $100 million lawsuit and while I am not an expert on when bad things happen to good people, I came out okay. They are the ones on the brink of bankruptcy.

So this time let me give the Evil Empire a little free advice that they will not take:

Settle this now and let your great station people do what is right and serve their city of license.

Also FuseBox Radio Broadcast & BlackRadioIsBack.com family, PLEASE vote for the syndicated FuseBox Radio Broadcast with DJ Fusion & Jon Judah has been nominated for the 2009 Underground Music Awards as Underground Radio Show of the Year whenever you have the chance!

You can give us a vote by clicking the "vote" button below, clicking here or going directly to the Underground Music Awards website at UrbanBuzzFactor.com (where you can check out all of the other great nominees, their websites & categories as well):

Everyone can vote once a day per server/computer and the last date in for voting is Thursday, August 6, 2009.

This mixtape has totally clean/radio friendly songs (so folks can blast it at the 9 to 5, parental figure types, etc. due to the lack of blatant curses and whatnot) of mainstream & independent Hip-Hop & Soul Music.

When you get the chance definitely go to the each of the music artist's websites linked in the tracklisting to check out more of their material if you like it and support!

Good Wednesday Morning to our BlackRadioIsBack.com and FuseBox Radio Broadcast crew!

I hope that this preview & free download of producers Beatnick & K-Salaam's dope Hip-Hop album "Where The Streets Have No Name" (released in conjunction with Imeem.com x IllRoots.com) that that just dropped this week helps out with the Humpday Blahs a little - a bit of groove in the day is never a bad thing.

As always, we're on the look out here at BlackRadioIsBack.com for dope radio show content from all over the world.

We ran into this dope interview from some of our radio peoples in NYC over at The Roundtable Show (props to Lenny S, Maya the B & Big Lite for putting together a quality radio show that gets the BlackRadioIsBack.com Stamp of Approval) of Hip-Hop legends Naughty By Nature.

A lot of pretty interesting information and insights are dropped by MCs Treach & Vinnie, so definitely check the videos below when you have the chance!

Naughty By Nature Interview Part 1:

Naughty by Nature - Hip Hop icons came through to discuss their past, present and future! They talked about being "the New Style" before taking the name "Naughty by Nature"and their strategy of success to move the Naughty by Nature movement with promotional items & distinct imaging.

"If you weren't from New York back in the day you couldn't pick up the mic without getting bumb rushed," Vin Rock talking about the challenge of being a New Jersey rap group.

Naughty By Nature Interview Part 2:

Treach and Vin Rock talk about touring back in the day and what their life on the road is like now. They also give us the history of how the term "O.P.P." came into existence.

Naughty recalls their relationship with Tupac and tells us about some of their first memories together.

Naughty By Nature Interview Part 3:

In this segment we talk to Treach about his full frontal scene in his movie Love and a Bullet. "If my schlong was oriental his name would be 'Hung Lo'" - Treach says.

Naughty also talks about the difference in groupie love from now and in their Hay Day. Tribe Called Treach- a reality show coming soon! "it's very ghetto, it's not boujie." - Treach

A little bit of BlackRadioIsBack.com handpicked past & present Naughty By Nature Music Videos are below for folks to check out...enjoy!

What the No More Pop music folks specialize in, which according to their website is:

electric sound time travel machine for nostalgicsand hipsters, future classics, modern insanity and old grooves.every month, a new selection of pearls for your musical necklace

These two latest music mixes both run a little over an hour long with Neo Filigrante bringing in some Electro & House music vibes to groove to - grab the free downloads below and let us know what you think...

We had a great interview this week on the FuseBox Radio with Motivational Speaker, Author & Business Consultant Jawar (http://www.jawarspeaks.com).

Some of the topics we talked about was his past history, how he decided to get into his businesses - the music industry, writing & promoting books (author of over 20+ successful titles) and lastly being an independant movitivational speaker, advice about how to become a successful entreprenuer without selling yourself out, his latest book & radio projects and some other dope things!

This week we do have new Black Agenda Report segment. The Direct EFX segments will return at the end of the HBCU's college summer break period in September.

Also FuseBox Radio Broadcast & BlackRadioIsBack.com family, PLEASE vote for the syndicated FuseBox Radio Broadcast with DJ Fusion & Jon Judah has been nominated for the 2009 Underground Music Awards as Underground Radio Show of the Year whenever you have the chance!

You can give us a vote by clicking the "vote" button below, clicking here or going directly to the Underground Music Awards website at UrbanBuzzFactor.com (where you can check out all of the other great nominees, their websites & categories as well):

Everyone can vote once a day per server/computer and the last date in for voting is Thursday, August 6, 2009.

Tonight, international cable TV news channel CNN is going to do the premiere airing of their "Black in America 2" documentary series.

The first "Black In America" was interesting to say the least. I don't expect ANY TV series to be able to remotely cover the entire Black Experience(s) in America and considering it's a mainstream TV channel, thought CNN did an OK try of it.

No one's going to be fully pleased by the show, either because the viewpoints may be limited or extreme (too bad or too good in regards to what's really going down w/ Black People - you don't believe me, check the comments page on the "Black in America" website, much less all over the blogsphere & around the way).

Personally, I'm more annoyed that Blacks in America - CITIZENS mind you - need to even have series like this due to the fact a mentality of People of Color still being the bizarre "other" in society.

Sometimes it feels like specials on Black People in the U.S. are like some folks checking out animals in the zoo due to being presented to stereotypes via media, etc. almost from birth - "look here are some good ones", "wow, they're all wild", etc.

What I do VERY much appreciate about these specials is that they spark positive & criticial conversations to build on - what folks need to improve on, if we need to grab up more control of our own media images and destiny, etc.

Here is the official description of what the CNN "Black in America 2" Documentary Special is going to cover:

From health to education, CNN’s “Black in America 2” continues to investigate some of the most significant and challenging issues facing African-Americans.

Airing on July 22 & 23 at 8PM (ET), host Soledad O'Brien focuses on emerging leaders, innovative community programs and business ventures that are addressing the most persistent and pressing issues and disparities facing African-Americans.

On July 22, Black in America 2: Today’s Pioneers will examine the programs and progress of people working in ways large and small to make a difference. This is the story of community organizers across the country and the progress and improvements that they are creating locally.

On July 23, Black in America 2: Tomorrow’s Leaders will look at solutions aimed to developing leaders of tomorrow. We meet those that have already achieved heights of power, education and influence. And, we learn how others are reaching out to the next generation to ensure their success and achievement.

Here are some preview video clips below from the CNN's "Black In America 2"documentary series below - it's starts airing tonight, Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 9 pm EST and will be in reruns (as well as on the web) on the cable channel.

Definitely feel free to give us your feedback on the series here up on BlackRadioIsBack.com!

About Me

I'm DJ Fusion, a short (5 feet tall), above average looking Black-American female DJ, writer and photographer in my early 30s.
I'm originally from the Prince Georges County, MD, now going back and forth between New Jersey and the DMV (DC/MD/VA).
Since 1998, I've been doing my syndicated radio show, The FuseBox Radio Broadcast, bringing the best of Black Music from all over the world along with news, interviews and commentary.
Check out what's happening with the syndicated FuseBox Radio Broadcast at our official website, http://www.FuseBoxRadioOnline.com!

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Hire the FuseBox Radio's DJs for Your Next Event!

Feel free to reach out to the FuseBox Radio Broadcast DJ family to provide music for your next upcoming event via Thumbtack.com - whether it's as intimate family gathering (such as wedding receptions & reunions), a mid-sized corporate or networking event (whether at a lounge, art gallery, performance hall, etc.), parties of all kinds, large community happening and more!

We travel all over the U.S., Canada and other countries.

The FuseBox Radio Broadcast staff will work together to make up a reasonable budget for a great time!